Silver for Arka De La Hart Z in the CSI3* GP of Oliva

While they jumped for World Cup points in Leipzig, last weekend was also a busy weekend on Spanish soil. For the second week in a row there was some international action on the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour, Oliva, and also this week several Zangersheide horses jumped into the picture.

During the CSI3* GP on Sunday afternoon, a podium place was reserved for the French lady rider Alexa Ferrer and her 12-year-old grey mare Arka de La Hart Z (Arko III x Kashmir Van Schuttershof – B: Kevin and Maïte Maus), with whom she won already the CSI3* GP of Oliva in November. The duo already jumped to a seventh place during the 1.45m high GP Qualifier on Thursday and was one of the nine combinations that managed to qualify for the jump-off during the CSI3* GP. She re-entered the ring as the fourth combination and with a clear round in 40.66 seconds she secured a second place in the ranking.

Next to Ferrer and Arka de La Hart Z, also the Spanish rider Mariano Martinez Bastida and the 14-year-old gelding Belano Vd Wijnhoeve Z (Berlin x Darco – B: D. De Cuyper) were qualified for the jump-off. They even managed to set the fastest time in 40.42 seconds, but because two poles rolled out of the cups along the way, they eventually had to settle for eighth place in the ranking.

Another striking combination last weekend was the Swiss lady rider Eva Gautschi with the 9-year-old grey mare Gouache Fontanel Z (Graf Sandro 2 x Fusain du Defey – B: Christine Abadie-Gien). They started their week with a victory during the Gold 1.40m class on Thursday and also jumped to a fifth place in the 1.45m high Longines Ranking class on Sunday.

On Saturday, it was the Belgian rider Koen Vereecke who secured a podium place with the 9-year-old chestnut stallion Balouto van Paemel Z (Baloubet du Rouet x Colman – B: Stoeterij Van Paemel). During the Gold 1.40m class, Vereecke and Balouto Van Paemel Z remained clear in both the 1st and 2nd phase and this performance was good for a third place in the ranking.

During the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Friday, there was again a top ranking for the Dutch rider Johnny Pals and the 12-year-old grey mare Beau van de Hagenhorst Z (Big Star Jr K Z x Coronado 3 – B: H. Verhagen). After their victory in the Longines Ranking class the week before, they jumped to sixth place in the ranking this time. Also on Friday there was a fifth place for the Italian rider Luigi Polesello with the 12-year-old mare Dior On Top Z (Diarado x Crown Z – B: Luc Geirnaert) in the Gold 1.40m class.